Zero2Cool
16 years ago

[img_r]http://i.packers.com/images/action/080912harris215.jpg[/img_r]In terms of size and physicality, the starting receivers for the Detroit Lions present one of the toughest matchups the Green Bay Packers will face all season.

Veteran Roy Williams, who's 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, and second-year rising star Calvin Johnson, 6-5 and 235, have the kind of athleticism, reach and jump-ball ability not necessarily seen every week, particularly not in the NFC North.

But the Lions can be sure to see the same type of coverage from the Packers they've always seen, whether it be against them or on film against other teams. Veteran cornerbacks Al Harris (6-1, 190) and Charles Woodson (6-1, 202) are going to stick to their bump-and-run, in-your-face press coverage at the line of scrimmage that's a staple of defensive coordinator Bob Sanders' scheme, no matter how the matchup looks on paper.

Woodson is listed on the injury report as questionable with a fractured toe, and he didn't practice all week, but Head Coach Mike McCarthy said he'll give him all the way up until kickoff on Sunday to see if he can play. If Woodson is held out, McCarthy said Tramon Williams and Will Blackmon would see significant playing time.

But no matter who's on the field for the Packers, the defensive backs are going to play their game.

"We're going to do what we do," Harris said. "It doesn't change."
What has changed somewhat is Detroit's offense, from the wide-open pass-oriented attack of former offensive coordinator Mike Martz to a more conservative, run-first approach led by new coordinator Jim Colletto. But that doesn't mean the Lions are putting their pass-catching weapons on the back burner. Far from it.

Detroit quarterback Jon Kitna said it's been more of a "streamlining" process, with many of the complexities of Martz's passing system trimmed out. He says the new playbook is "less mentally taxing," particularly for him and his receivers, and he believes that will pay dividends for Williams and Johnson as they continue to make the transition together.

"I think what it's done has really tried to take those guys, find out what they do best, and let's use that over and over," Kitna said. "I think they feel comfortable with it, and they like that part of it, and that's a good thing. I like for my receivers to be doing things they feel comfortable with."

Johnson certainly seems to be growing more comfortable, and hence more dangerous, as an NFL receiver after being drafted fourth overall in 2007. Lingering back problems over the final three-fourths of his rookie year limited his production, but he still posted 48 catches for 756 yards and four touchdowns last season.

Now fully healthy, he was one of few bright spots for the Lions in their season-opening defeat in Atlanta last week, with seven grabs for 107 yards.

"He's been healthy, he's learning the offense well and he's a tremendous competitor," Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said. "He's getting better and better each week.

"We're still looking for different ways to get him the ball, as with Roy. It still starts up front in terms of running the football for us, and I think when that happens we'll really be able to utilize him."

Meanwhile Williams remains an elite receiver, catching 64 passes for 838 yards and five TDs last season despite missing the final four games with a knee injury. The year before, Williams made the Pro Bowl with a 1,300-yard season.

Ever since Williams lit up the Packers for seven catches and 138 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown, in the teams' first meeting in 2006, Harris has been matched up specifically against him on the vast majority of snaps and succeeded at containing him. The next two Packers-Lions games (Dec. 17, 2006 and Thanksgiving last year), Williams managed a combined four catches for 43 yards.

Williams and Harris have the utmost respect for one another, and they'll likely be one-on-one again on Sunday at Ford Field. Cornerbacks coach Lionel Washington doesn't know exactly why Harris has had so much success keeping Williams from being a factor in their recent meetings, but part of it comes from the stubbornness of sticking to a technique that can be exhausting for both the cornerback and receiver throughout a game.

"Certain receivers you go against, for some reason you match up better," Washington said. "I don't have an answer for why he does or why he doesn't. But certain guys you match up against, you have a better feel for. For some reason you understand that receiver better. And sometimes there are going to be receivers who give you problems. It works both ways.

"The challenging part of those guys going up every snap and (getting) in their face, is they don't back down when something good or bad happens. That's the most challenging part, because when it's going good, the guys are up there, and when it's going bad, they're up there, so the receivers don't know what to think at times. It's a challenge each week and we'll go out there and face it and see what happens."

One receiver who gave Harris problems was Plaxico Burress of the New York Giants in last season's NFC Championship Game. Burress, who's 6-5 and 232 pounds, caught several back-shoulder throws and other jump balls on his way to an 11-reception, 151-yard performance in the Giants' overtime victory.

Even though Williams and Johnson are of similar build, Harris said that won't factor into how he, Woodson and the other corners play on Sunday.

"It's not about how big a guy is as what they do," Harris said. "You adjust your game to what they do. It's not so much if a guy is 6-5 or a guy is 5-9, you don't switch up your technique at all. You just recognize what they do."

The Lions will certainly recognize what the Packers do. As McCarthy says, it's the way he likes his guys to play.

"The bigger physical receiver, you have to always try to get hand placement, and good foot movement at the line of scrimmage," Washington said. "That's something we do well, and if we can match up that way as far as getting our hands on and doing some things we like to do at the line of scrimmage, I think they'll do a good job against them."


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TengoJuego
16 years ago
I wouldn't expect the style to change, this will be a GREAT warm up game for these corners, especially if Woodson isn't ready to go. TBH I feel if we can contain these two WR's, we can contain T.O. Not saying either of them are better or anything, but like I said, its great preparation.
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (10h) : LB Isaiah Simmons. Signed. Called it!!! Oh yeah!
Martha Careful (10h) : ty bboystyle...fat fingers
bboystyle (10h) : Tom*
Martha Careful (18h) : RIP Packer Safety Tim Brown
beast (27-Apr) : Yeah, but also some of the wording suggestions Jax only pranked called the QB, not the others... and if he had an open spreadsheet & 3 calls
beast (27-Apr) : Thank goodness he's not leaving the Turtle in the Red Tide
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Cowboys 1st round pick Tyler Booker will indeed be bringing his pet turtle to Dallas with him
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : that contained all prospects info and contact
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : beast, according the Falcons statement Jax came across it on an ipad. If I had to guess, probably an open spread sheet or something
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Simmons put up an emoji with cheese.
beast (27-Apr) : Not sure anyone is interested in Isaiah Simmons... Collin Oliver might of taken his potential slot
beast (27-Apr) : I'm going with Jax Ulbrich is not telling the whole truth... he accidentally came across it? Why would a defensive coordinator have a QB #?
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : He's not that great, but final piece of the script.\
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : If we add Isaiah Simmons, book your Super Bowl tickets
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Colts 1st round TE Tyler Warren also got prank called, was that Jax Ulbrich as well?
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich’s son, released an apology for his role in the Shedeur Sanders prank call.
Martha Careful (27-Apr) : apparently he did not participate in practice or play on the east west shrine game nor the NFL combine. The kid was a mediocre spoiled brat
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Yeah that one that was a super wounded duck that Sanders supporters are highlighting to prove a point
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Shough is the guy who missed guys at combine isn't he?
beast (27-Apr) : It's not official until I'm dead! I have a chance still! (Not really)
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : I could feel my body decomposing in real time when I read that
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : @MIKEYSAINRISTIL Tyler Shough will officially be the last person drafted to the NFL born in the 1900’s
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : saw the tweet, he meant the city
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : Was that for the team or the city?
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter · 3m Draft grade is in: Green Bay gets an A. The people, the city, the venue were all superb. NFL Draft’s next
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matt LaFleur says Jaire Alexander is participating in #Packers offseason program, which has been conducted virtually during this first week
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : ✅ ...
buckeyepackfan (26-Apr) : Check
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matthew Golden cahanged 81 to 22??
TheKanataThrilla (26-Apr) : Sam Howell to Vikings...guess no Aaron
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : 1 round 7 min, with one extra minute if there is a trade. 2nd round 4 minutes, 3rd -3, 2 thereafter IMO
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Agree
dfosterf (26-Apr) : Great idea imo
dfosterf (26-Apr) : 1st round to 7 minutes with one extension
dfosterf (26-Apr) : NFL comissioner wants to shorten the 2st
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : @jalenreagors They’re discussing if Sheduer can go back to college on NFL Network LMFAOOOOO
beast (26-Apr) : Great point Martha
beast (26-Apr) : Buddy Ryan used to say if a candy bar goes missing, there are two to blame, Rex and Rob 🤪 jk 😁
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Bum Phillips used to say there are two ways to get better. Get better players or get players to play better. We have a new DL coach
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Yes. Look at the losses last year. They can win.
beast (26-Apr) : Can Packers win with their current DL?
bboystyle (26-Apr) : waiting for a pass rusher.
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes between picks in the 3rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 3rd. Hate this phone
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 4rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes in the 4
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 7 minutes between picks in the 2nd round
Martha Careful (25-Apr) : Sorry to bitch, but the headline writers in that section absolutely mislead, or don't know how to read. It is maddening
Martha Careful (25-Apr) : No thanks. Not a dependable guy to be in the right place and run the right route. Dumb as a box of rocks.
Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : Losing 2nd round pick for a one year rental, not ideal. Especially a headcase.
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